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I am working on moving to a cheaper apartment because I had to take a job that pays less thanks to our current train-wreck of an economy, so I'm looking for ways to cut costs.

One of the things I would like to do is cut my food bill by doing more shopping at Aldi and Marcs, and less at Giant Ripoff and the other larger grocery stores.

I'm not that savy of a grocery shopper, so I'm looking for advice on how prices on general food items compare at Marcs vs Aldi. Is one store better for certain things?

While were at it, if anyone else has any advice for those of us looking to cut costs, maybe a diamond in the rough around the Cleveland area that no one knows about, or ways you're cutting back, please share your thoughts!

I am working on moving to a cheaper apartment because I had to take a job that pays less thanks to our current train-wreck of an economy, so I'm looking for ways to cut costs.

One of the things I would like to do is cut my food bill by doing more shopping at Aldi and Marcs, and less at Giant Ripoff and the other larger grocery stores.

I'm not that savy of a grocery shopper, so I'm looking for advice on how prices on general food items compare at Marcs vs Aldi. Is one store better for certain things?

While were at it, if anyone else has any advice for those of us looking to cut costs, maybe a diamond in the rough around the Cleveland area that no one knows about, or ways you're cutting back, please share your thoughts!

I always found that most staple items like Milk, eggs, bread, etc. were somewhat cheaper at Aldi and to some extent Marc's than the grocery stores like Giant Eagle. Also, fruits & veggies are definitely cheaper at either of the stores, keep in mind though that it's typically not as fresh as you would find at a G.E. or other supermarket. Aldi has very little name brand items, almost all generic, so it is usually significantly cheaper than name brand products, yet pretty comparable to the valutime/Giant Eagle brand products. Marc's tended to be a little cheaper on some name brand items, but not much difference from what I found. Keep in mind that these were observations from the Canton area, and we moved about a year and a half ago, but I'd imagine that the trends I mentioned hold true in the Cleveland metro area.

Also, invest the $1.50 in buying a Sunday paper and clip the coupons, will make a huge difference especially at a store like Giant Eagle where they double them up to a $1.

I love Aldi's and have shopped there in Cleveland, the metro DC area, and now where I live in PA. Their generic brands are just as good if not better than the name brand items. Just remember they only take cash and you have to pay to use a cart...
Used to love Marc's too, but produce is always iffy there, and they didn't always have what you were looking for.
If there is a Walmart supercenter in the area, I would recommend it. Their generic line is great and so cheap compared to the name brands.

Definitely clip coupons...I even ask family members and neighbors to give me theirs. Only buy what's on sale at Giant and other stores, and try to combine the sale items with the coupons...and love the stores that double or triple them! Stock up on the items you use regularly when they're on sale.

A new thing I found here in PA...salvage grocery stores. They buy goods that the manufacturer can't sell for multiplie reasons. Sometimes dented cans (which I am leery of), but also things that the labels have changed, or a pallet fell and smashed one end, but the rest are ok, things like that. You could google it and see if there are any around you. The ones here are cash only also.

A balanced diet consists of at least 6-11 servings of grains for its' foundation. Whole grains provide a hearty, satisfying, nutritious and cheap source. They can be found at the grocery store, but generally better quality and selection at reasonable prices in bulk online or at health food stores. Meats are often expensive. A diet can be "bulked up" with beans. Dry beans can be soaked overnight and simmered the next day. Providing an extremely cheap and tasty source of protein. Also can be found bulk online or at Marc's.

You only need about 4-6 ounces of meat a day and 1 cup of beans = two ounces. One egg white = one ounce of meat and you can get a dozen for less than a dollar.

Remember, whole grains and beans are very tasty together, served hot or cold, with a tablespoon of corn or canola oil and plenty of salt (the whole grains will actually lower your blood pressure. salt actually has very little effect on it, despite popular misconceptions )

You only need two pieces of fruit a day. 16 ounces of milk. A few vegetables, for example, a carrot, piece of celery and a little lettuce (also tasty with a little oil and salt!)

You can live very well on this kind of super healthy diet for probably less than a hundred dollars a month.

When you eat this way, include something from every food group in each meal. Don't snack. Eat Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same time every day. You'll feel great, probably live to be 100! And save a ton of money

While were at it, if anyone else has any advice for those of us looking to cut costs, maybe a diamond in the rough around the Cleveland area that no one knows about, or ways you're cutting back, please share your thoughts!

When I lived in Cleveland, I spent a lot of time trying to find the best deals.

First, for fresh produce, your best deals are down at the West Side Market at W25th and Lorain Ave. Most of the OUTSIDE vendors are what I call "surplus" dealers. They buy the "old" stuff from the wholesalers. There is nothing wrong with the produce BUT use it up in the next week. There are some first quality dealers but you'll find that they are fairly expensive.

For bakery, look for outlet stores. They are a lot of them in the area. Marc's carries some of the Orlando "overbakes."

Marc's is a phenomenal place. Their prices are generally pretty good. They carry a lot of "special purchases" which are great bargains. But you can count on them having certain brands.

Aldi's is the cheapest place in the midwest for groceries, period. Their quality has really improved over the years and is offering some of the same products as Trader Joe's.

What I recommend is you get one of those little spriral notebooks and track what you spend BY ITEM on groceries. Generally, most consumers buy about 100 items. Track the prices of those items wach time you shop and you'll find what market is best for you.

Food can be as cheap or expensive as you make it. For example, you can buy a 2# jar of pinto beans for $2.50. Or you can buy a pound of dry beans for $0.75. Soak those beans overnight and you'll have 2-3# of beans.

The more you cook from scratch, the cheaper it is. If you buy TV dinners, frozen entrees and prrepared foods, you food expense will be a lot higher.

Pricewise, they beat the daylights out of all the drug store chains. Unfortuantely, my wife has realized that and we have to take an extra bag whenever we head back home.

Marc's and DDM have one thing in common. Crowded, cluttered aisles and a general perception that they are dirty. At least that is what has come up consistently in focus groups that my wife paid for when she was working for a non-deceased chain. However, despite this, BOTH retailers were cited as the "favorite places to shop" among many Clevelanders.

I like Save a Lot & Trader Joes. TJ's is pretty affordable, they are owned by Aldi's.

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